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First batch of finalists announced for the Kent & Medway Food & Drink Awards 2025, including Restaurant of the Year and Chef of the Year

It’s time to reveal the finalists for this year’s Kent & Medway Food & Drink Awards.

We’ve already announced the longlists for Pub of the Year and Restaurant of the Year, but now it’s time to share your top three finalists across all of our categories.

The awards, presented by the KM Group and sponsored by DDS International, aim to celebrate the work of restaurateurs, chefs, small business owners and volunteers throughout Kent and Medway.

You sent us your nominations for this year’s Kent & Medway Food & Drink Awards and now it’s time to announce your finalists. Picture: iStock
You sent us your nominations for this year’s Kent & Medway Food & Drink Awards and now it’s time to announce your finalists. Picture: iStock

Today, we’re revealing your top picks for: Chef of the Year, Farm Shop or Deli of the Year, Food Producer of the Year, Restaurant of the Year, Street Food / Pop-up of the Year and Tearoom / Coffee Shop of the Year.

Tomorrow, we will announce the finalists across the rest of the categories - including Pub of the Year - so make sure you check back to see if your nominations made the cut…

CHEF OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by kff

DEV BISWAL OF THE COOK’S TALE, Canterbury

Dev Biswal is a multi-award-winning chef at the helm of the Cook’s Tale, a modern restaurant in the heart of Canterbury serving up local produce with an Asian twist.

SCOTT VENN OF THE PRINCE OF WALES, Hoath

The Prince of Wales’ head chef, Scott Venn, is known for his ever-changing weekly specials, such as pan-fried seabass fillet with fondant potatoes and chicken and mushroom pie.

WILL SHENOW-BRADY OF THE DOVE AT DARGATE, near Faversham

Will Shenow-Brady has been at the helm of the Dove at Dargate’s kitchen since 2018 after working in the UK’s fine-dining restaurants for more than a decade.

FARM SHOP OR DELI OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by Clive Emson

Macknade in Faversham has an outdoor food village, farm shop, on-site cafe and private function room. Picture: Macknade
Macknade in Faversham has an outdoor food village, farm shop, on-site cafe and private function room. Picture: Macknade

MACKNADE, Faversham

The food hall at Macknade is full of fresh fruit and vegetables, artisan bread, freshly-baked cakes, flavoursome sauces and beer from independent breweries. There’s also a cafe on-site and an outdoor street food village in the summer.

LOWER LADYSDEN FARM, Goudhurst

This family-run farm is known for its pick-your-own fields and award-winning farm shop with a huge variety of products, from everyday essentials to freshly picked produce, homemade jams and juices.

PERRY COURT FARM SHOP, Ashford

It’s the second time this shop has featured in our awards, having won the category last year. It’s been run by the Fermor family since the 1950s and sells apples, pears, cherries, potatoes, asparagus and more.

FOOD PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by Shepherd Neame

THE ARTISAN BREAD COMPANY, Headcorn

The Artisan Bread Company keeps things simple, making fresh sourdough with only three locally-sourced ingredients. You can find loaves in the main shop in Headcorn or in a selection of farm shops across the county.

BEARS ICE CREAM IMAGINARIUM, Whitstable

Founded in 2016, this unique ice cream parlour gives visitors a chance to create their own flavours with more than 40 different toppings and a selection of Jersey milk-based ice creams.

TANKERTON SMOKESHED

Tankerton Smokeshed produces bespoke smoked salmon and trout orders tailored to each customer’s needs. There’s a selection of portion sizes and smoked flavours to choose from.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by East Kent Colleges Group

Reporter Sean McPolin visited Gurkha Fire in Chatham last year for an Eat My Words review
Reporter Sean McPolin visited Gurkha Fire in Chatham last year for an Eat My Words review

GURKHA FIRE, Chatham

Located inside a converted fire station, Gurkha Fire is an authentic Nepalese curry house. Our reporter visited the restaurant only a few months ago and was impressed by the friendly staff, contemporary decor and creamy butter chicken.

THE IVY, Canterbury

Its grand opening had visitors queueing around the block, so it’s no surprise that Canterbury’s new The Ivy restaurant has clocked up a few fans. The stylish eatery was given the thumbs up by our reporter, who enjoyed the buzzing atmosphere and classic dishes.

STUBBS, Ashford

This steak and seafood restaurant also made the longlist for this category in last year’s awards. In addition to the great food, this eatery in Kennington also takes pride in its extensive cocktail menu.

STREET FOOD / POP-UP OF THE YEAR

Dirty fries and a gourmet burger from Bun Buddies. Picture: Facebook / Bun Buddies
Dirty fries and a gourmet burger from Bun Buddies. Picture: Facebook / Bun Buddies

BUN BUDDIES, Headcorn

This mobile burger truck won Street Food / Pop-up of the Year in our 2024 awards. Owners and friends Harry, Jack and Abi have become known for dishes such as chilli cheese burgers, crispy fried chicken burgers and dirty fries topped with bacon and cheese.

ELLINOR’S ICE CREAM, Rainham

Offering ice cream vans for hire, Ellinor’s Ice Cream caters to everything from school fetes to corporate functions. It doesn’t matter if it’s an indoor or outdoor event, there’s a great range of sweet treats to suit any occasion.

MUMMA SORAYA, Rochester

Mumma Soraya's is a soul food truck found outside The George pub in Rochester. Soraya, with the help of her partner Bobby, won Food & Drink Hero in last year’s awards for their comfort food dishes like curry mutton and jerk chicken.

TEAROOM / COFFEE SHOP OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by Lumina Energy

HAMILTON AIRFIELD TEAROOM, Bilsington

Overlooking the airstrip, this cosy tearoom is a popular spot with cyclists, walkers and aviation enthusiasts. There’s everything from cream teas and artisan coffee to full English breakfasts and sandwiches.

LINEHAN AND COFFEE, Rainham

Tucked away inside the Linehan and Co hair salon is this much-loved coffee bar, run by husband and wife team John, who is a trained barista, and Amanda, who is an award-winning hairdresser.

NOTION COFFEE LOUNGE, Sellindge

This cafe has a great range of lunchtime bites, including chicken and bacon paninis, cheese and onion marmalade toasties and vegan pastries. There are also cakes and cookies, hot drinks and smoothies.

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